Shloka 23

Sat-saṅga, Dharma-Nīti, Karma-Phala, Śauca, and Vairāgya

Overcoming Grief

Devanagari script

गच्छन्ति चान्तरिक्षे वा प्रविशन्ति महीतले / धारयन्ति दिशः सर्वा नादत्तमुपलभ्यते

Transliteration

gacchanti cāntarikṣe vā praviśanti mahītale / dhārayanti diśaḥ sarvā nādattamupalabhyate

Translation

Sie mögen durch den Himmel ziehen oder in die Erde eindringen; sie mögen in alle Richtungen schweifen—doch was nicht gewährt wurde, wird niemals erlangt.

Word by Word

• गच्छन्ति: they go
• गच्छन्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकारः (Present), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथम-पुरुषः (3rd), बहुवचनम् (Plural)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्ययम् (conjunction)

• अन्तरिक्षे: in the sky
• अन्तरिक्षे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्तरिक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (Locative/7th), एकवचनम् (Singular)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्ययम् (or)

• प्रविशन्ति: they enter
• प्रविशन्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + विश् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकारः (Present), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथम-पुरुषः (3rd), बहुवचनम् (Plural)

• महीतले: on the earth's surface
• महीतले: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मही-तल (प्रातिपदिक; मही + तल)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (Locative/7th), एकवचनम् (Singular)

• धारयन्ति: they hold/support
• धारयन्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धृ (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकारः (Present), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथम-पुरुषः (3rd), बहुवचनम् (Plural)

• दिशः: the directions
• दिशः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिश् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचनम् (Plural)

• सर्वाः: all
• सर्वाः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचनम् (Plural); विशेषणम्

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Negation/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्ययम् (negation)

• आदत्तम्: (what is) taken/received
• आदत्तम्: Karta (Grammatical subject of passive/कर्ता)
• Type: Kridanta
• Root: आ + दा (धातु)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्तः—क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (Nominative/1st), एकवचनम् (Singular)

• उपलभ्यते: is obtained/found
• उपलभ्यते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + लभ् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकारः (Present), आत्मनेपदम्, प्रथम-पुरुषः (3rd), एकवचनम् (Singular); कर्मणि-प्रयोगः (passive sense)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: One cannot obtain what is not allotted/given—ethical and karmic boundaries govern gain beyond mere capability or movement.

Vedantic Theme: Aparigraha/tyāga tendency; recognition of īśvara-niyati over acquisitive ego; contentment (santoṣa) as stabilizer of mind.

Application: Avoid unethical acquisition; cultivate contentment; focus on rightful means (dharma) and gratitude for what is legitimately received.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: cosmic regions

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: repeated emphasis that karma-phala is inescapable and that adharma does not yield lasting gain (general parallel)

FAQs

What is the importance of rightful giving (dāna/ādāna) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that across realms and directions, one cannot truly gain what is not properly granted—dharma-based giving and receiving governs legitimate attainment.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It implies that movement through different planes (sky, earth, all directions) does not override karmic order: the subtle journey does not yield fruits that were never earned or ritually/rightfully given.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate ethical earning and consent-based receiving; practice dāna and fair exchange, avoiding appropriation—what is not rightfully given does not become a lasting gain.